Spurred by a lifelong dream, Zogby the bear applies for a job delivering Fluffy Tail Cookies. This requires first persuading the rabbit manager to give him a try ("You just don't have the Fluffy Tail Cookies look"), then figuring out what to do when his small animal customers take one look at him and scream. Even disguising himself with bunny ears doesn't work (for some reason). Rather than give up, though, Zogby decides that he just needs to be himself. Singing a new jingle ("I am big, and I am hairy! / But I promise, I'm not scary!"), he wins over his timorous customers the second time around, and comes back to the office to plaudits and a uniform just his size. Young audiences will enjoy the comical chorus of screams in this self-affirming episode, and Zogby, looking decidedly nonthreatening for all his towering, tubby bulk in Sordo's cartoon-style illustrations, makes a winning stand-in for all readers with unconventional ambitions. A down-to-earth change of pace from all those tales about livestock with dreams of stardom.

When Zogby, a big, brown bear, applies for a job as delivery bear—a job he has wanted since he was a "tiny cub"—the hiring manager, a small, purple rabbit, says, "You just don't have the Fluffy Tail Cookies look."It is striking for a picture book to open with this sort of reference; the manager seems to be outright discriminating against Zogby. Still, Zogby pleads for a chance, and the manager gives him a one-day trial. His clients are terrified of Zogby once they see him: Mrs. Rabbit and Mr. Beaver each scream, "AAHHHHH!!" upon opening their doors. Zogby alters his appearance after these rejections, donning bunny ears and a fluffy tail. He finally reminds himself that he is "special" and makes up a song to go along with his newfound confidence: "I am big, and I am hairy! / But I promise, I'm not scary!" Mrs. Mole and Mr. Porcupine then accept his cookie deliveries with grace and hospitality. It's a peculiar resolution to an awkward book: The animals in this story are prejudiced against Zogby's appearance, but it is up to Zogby to ameliorate their fears. The burden, it seems, lies with the oppressed rather than the oppressor, making this a very unprogressive tale. Sordo's bright, cartoonish illustrations are zippy but can't mitigate its central flaw.Competent but profoundly uninspiring. (Picture book. 3-7)